Display-rack.



F. M.. ETHRIDGE.

DiSPLAY RACK.

' APPLlCATlON FILED IAN-l0. 191i- Patented Mal-.12, 1918.

FREDERICK M. ETHRIDGE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-NOR OF ONE-HALFTO B. E. STEWART, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS.

DISPLAY-RACK.

Application filed .1 anuary 10, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK M. ETH- RIDGE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements inDisplay-Racks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to store service apparatus, and particularly toracks for displaying rugs or like articles, and storing a number of sucharticles suspended vertically side by side in such manner that they maybe shifted laterally to expose either article to the inspection of acustomer.

The object of the invention is to provide a rack adapted to support theweight of a considerable number of relatively heavy rugs, and permit theconvenient exposure of either.

The invention is embodied in the improvements which I will now proceedto describe and claim.

On the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rack embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the rack.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing an alternative construction.

Fig. 5 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 1.

The same reference characters indicate the same or similar parts in allof the figures.

My improved rack includes two rigid end frames, each preferablyconstructed as shown by Fig. 3, and including a base member 12, verticalstandards 13 attached at their lower ends to the base member andprojecting upwardly therefrom, and a transverse member 14v rigidlyconnecting the uper end. portions of the standards.

Extending from each end frame to the other are two parallel elevatedhorizontal tracks 15, rigidly secured at their ends to the standards 13and constituting rigid connections between the upper end portions of theend frames.

The lower end portions of said frames are rigidly connected by suitablemeans, such as horizontal rods 16 spaced apart as indicated by Fig. 3.The uprights 13, the transverse connecting member 14, and theSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

Serial No. 141,521.

longitudinal connecting members 16 are preferably made from metaltubing.

Suspended from the track members 15 are transverse rug-engaging rods 17,any desired number of which may be employed, said rods being suspendedby means including trolleys 18, adapted to run on the tracks 15, and aras 19 attached to the rods 17 and having horizontal portionsconstituting journals engaging the trolleys 18.

The rods 17 may be provided with any suitable means, such as upwardlyprojecting spurs 21, for engaging rugs 22, the upper ends of which areimpaled on said pins.

Each track member 15 may be grooved to engage a single trolley 18, asshown by Figs. 2 and 3, although if desired, each track member may havetwo grooves arranged to engage two trolleys 18, as shown by Fig. 1.

The rods 17 are freely movable upon the track members 15, so that therugs supported by either of the rods may be isolated from the others forconvenient inspection by a customer.

The parallel spaced apart track members 15 afford a firm support for therods, preventing the same from swinging downwardly at either end.

The described construction affords sufficient firmness and rigidity tosupport the weight of a considerable number of relatively heavy rugs.

The end frames are preferably provided with casters 23, permitting theconvenient transportation of the rack from place to place on the floorof a warehouse.

It will be seen that the end frames, the track members, and theconnecting means 16 surround an unobstructed display space, across whichthe suspended articles extend.

The rods 17 are preferably provided with short laterally projecting armsor stops 25, the stops on each rod being adapted to abut against theadjacent rod as shown by Fig. 5, and thus prevent the suspending arms 19and the rods 17 from swinging sufliciently to cause contact betweenadjacent rugs, when any rod 17 is moved laterally toward the next rod.

I claim 2- 1. A display rack comprising transverse rigid end frames,horizontal parallel elevated track members extending from one standards,

end frame to the other and rigidly conneeting the upper portions of saidframes, means rigidly connecting the lower portions of the end frames,said frames, track members and connecting means surrounding anunobstructed display space, and a plurality of transversemerchandise-engaging rods having means whereby they are suspended fromsaid track members, said means including trolleys adapted to run on thetrack members.

2. A display rack comprising transverse end frames each composed of abase member, spaced upright standards projecting upwardly therefrom andconnected at their lower ends thereby, and a transverse con nectionbetween the upper portions of said horizontal parallel elevated trackmembers extending from the standards of one frame to those of the otherframe, connecting means extending between ing rods having means wherebythey are suspended from said track members, said means includingtrolleys adapted to run on the track members. a

3. A display rackcomprising transverse rigid end frames, horizontalparallel elevated track members extending from one end frame to theother and rigidly connecting the upper portions of said frames, meansrigidly connecting the lower portions of the end frames, said frames,track members and connecting means surrounding an unobstructed display"space, and a plurality of transverse merchandise-engaging rods havingmeans whereby they are suspended from said track members, said means in-V eluding trolleys adapted to run on the track members, each rod beingprovided with laterally projecting stops adapt-ed to abut against an adjaeent rod.

In testimony whereof I have affixed bysignature.

FREDERICK M, ETHRIDGE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Con'miissioner of Patents,

' Washington. 33. C. e

